"Battle of Marathon." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011

http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/573747?terms=Persia+Persia+Government+government

"The Persian Empire (Overview)." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011.
http://ancienthistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/574516?terms=persian+militar
"Darius I." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2011.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=battle+of+marathon+map&um=1&hl=en&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&biw=1024&bih=675&tbm=isch&tbnid=0nMcWahHMEpXJM:&imgrefurl=http://www.planetware.com/map/battle-of-marathon-map-gr-batmar.htm&docid=mqTaS7jeR8--_M&w=700&h=376&ei=j4VzTqzIO8bL0QH0nonTDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=331&vpy=200&dur=133&hovh=164&hovw=306&tx=160&ty=103&page=1&tbnh=104&tbnw=193&start=0&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0

Cyrus the Great is founder of PERSIA.

Cyrus was born at some point between 590 and 580 B.C., probably in Persis.
Historians have sometimes had a challenge in deciphering which stories about Cyrus have basis in fact and which are merely legends using him as a symbol of ideal rule.
The Greek historian Herodotus, as well as the Hebrew Bible and many cuneiform sources gave info on Cyrus
Solid information about the life of Cyrus emerges from 550 B.C. In that year, Cyrus conquered the Medes and became the leader of their empire. However, he faced competition from the Persian tribes and quickly set out to subdue his enemies on the Persian plateau. Cyrus was able to conquer his rivals quickly, but instead of punishing them, he determined to integrate local leaders into his new government. That act became a hallmark of his rule, and he became renowned for his ability to gain the allegiance of those he conquered in that way. Cyrus' new government placed himself at the top as king, but he appointed both Median and Persian notables throughout his administration. This allowed him to draw on the local knowledge of elites, as well as gain the respect of the common people over which he ruled. Indeed, Cyrus' government was structured to maintain the admiration of the local population, a practice he would spread to many parts of his expanding empire.

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From the rule of Cyrus the Great in the 500s BC to its conquest by Macedonian king Alexander the Great in 330 BC, thePersian Empire was one of the most powerful states in the world. At its height, this empire stretched from Egypt and the shores of the Aegean Sea in the west to Pakistan in the east, and from the Persian Gulf in the south to the Black Seaand the Caspian Sea in the north.
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MONARCHY
Strongest most affective unit was the Heavy Calvary.
During the reign of Darius, the Persians attempted to invade Greece but were defeated in 490 at the Battle of Marathon. Approximately 10 years later, Xerxes led an army into Greece, defeated the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae and captured Athens. After a series of defeats, the Persian Army retreated in 479. Although fighting continued for another 30 years, the Persians never again gained any significant advantage over the Greeks. Eventually, the Persian Wars ended with the signing of the Peace of Callias in 449.<<<< PERSIA FAIL PERIOD!!!!
Expanded a lot until the war with GREECE!
BAD WEAK HORRIBLE rulers followed... Revolts but the Country didnt die until Alexander the Great Came along.
The Biggest problemo with the persian leaders was too many people with different beliefs and languages.
CYRUS(THE AWESOME FONDER DUDE!) and Darius(the bum who isn't cool compared to cyrus, but now he is cool because i just read that HE RULED PERSIA, EGYPT, AND BABYLONIA!) didn't mind the local beliefs and language to be different.
Darius I receives Median dignitary
Darius I receives Median dignitary

This is the relief of Darius the first king of PERSIA 522 to 486BCE!!!!!!=D Behind him is his son Xerxes the firs
external image battle-of-marathon-map.jpg
The map of The Battle of Marathon